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Kroger collaborates with other industries to bolster employment, food supply

Impact of COVID-19 has supermarket giant looking to fill 20,000 more jobs

Russell Redman

March 27, 2020

2 Min Read
Kroger store associate-stockup-coronavirus
Kroger said it has partnered companies in hard-hit business sectors — such as restaurants, hotels and foodservice — to temporarily flex their employees to Kroger roles.The Kroger Co.

The Kroger Co. is forming employment partnerships with local, regional and national businesses in other industries to ensure an undisrupted food supply chain and help displaced workers amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis.

Kroger said Friday the effort includes the creation of a shared-resource model with companies in hard-hit sectors — such as restaurants, hotels and foodservice distributors — to temporarily flex employees to Kroger roles.

The Cincinnati-based supermarket retailer’s partners currently include Frisch’s (restaurants), Marriott International (hospitality and foodservice), McLane Foodservice (food distribution), Shamrocks Food (foodservice distribution), Sysco (foodservice distribution), Thunderdome Restaurant Group (restaurants), US Foods (foodservice distribution) and Sodexo (foodservice and facilities management). The latter also includes SodexoMAGIC, Sodexo’s joint venture with pro basketball hall-of-famer Magic Johnson.

Over the next few weeks, Kroger plans to hire 20,000 more workers to bolster its ability to provide consumers nationwide with fresh food and key supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The retailer said it already has provided new career opportunities to more than 23,500 workers across country, including those in other business sectors.

Related:Kroger to pay employee bonus for ‘frontline’ work amid COVID-19 pandemic

“Kroger’s top priority continues to be uplifting our associates and serving our communities, whether that’s by ensuring customers always can find food and products on our shelves or by providing a nearly immediate job opportunity to help an unemployed person to begin working again,” Tim Massa, senior vice president and chief people officer at Kroger, said in a statement.

Kroger noted that, two week ago, the company expedited its hiring process, cutting the time from application and employment to onboarding new hires to an average of 72 hours. Jobs remain open across Kroger’s network of retail stores, manufacturing plants and distribution centers, the company said, adding that the average hourly wage is $15, or $20 including comprehensive benefits.

“During this time of uncertainty, Kroger is committed to remaining a constant,” added Massa. “We have a responsibility to our associates, customers and communities, and we will continue to be here, for any need.”

Through its 20 regional/retail divisions, Kroger operates 2,753 food stores under such banners as Kroger, Ralphs, Dillons, Smith’s, King Soopers, Fry’s, QFC, City Market, Owen’s, Jay C, Pay Less, Baker’s, Gerbes, Harris Teeter, Pick ‘n Save, Copps, Metro Market, Mariano’s, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less and Foods Co.

Related:Hiring expands at Stop & Shop, Lidl, Aldi to meet coronavirus demands

 

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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